World Cup History - West Indies

1975 World Cup

Under Clive Lloyd’s leadership, the West Indies made light work of the opposition in the group stages to win all three matches to book a semi-final berth in the inaugural World Cup, held in England. They registered a five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the semi-finals at the Oval, to play against Australia in the final.

In the final, a blistering century from skipper Lloyd (102 in 85 balls) gave them their first World Cup crown, as they beat Australia by 17 runs at Lords.

1979 World Cup

The West Indies started as favourites and did not displease the bookies, as they went on to win their second consecutive World Cup. Skipper Lloyd again took them into the semi-finals from Group B, as they registered two wins in three matches in the league stage.

In the semi-final clash against the Pakistan at The Oval, they won by 43-runs to play in their second successive final. In the final, they outclassed England by 92 runs as the England batting collapsed dramatically - losing the last eight wickets for 11 runs, after they were placed at 183 for two, chasing a stiff target of 286 runs. Destructive West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge was the tournament's top scorer with 253 runs.

1983 World Cup

West Indies continued their outstanding form in the group stages to storm into the semi-finals with five wins in six matches in the third edition of the tournament. In the semi-finals, West Indies handed Pakistan an eight-wicket defeat, powered by an aggressive Viv Richards, who made 80 off 96 deliveries to surpass Pakistan’s target of 184 runs.

However, in the final, the juggernaut was eventually stopped, as the mighty West Indies were stunned by underdogs India by 43 runs at Lords. The dismissal of Viv Richards was the turning point.

1987 World Cup

In the World Cup staged in the sub-continent for the first time, West Indies failed to qualify for the semi-finals, suffering a 34-run defeat from England at Jaipur in an all important match, facilitating their exit.

1992 World Cup

West Indies failed to make a foray in the semi-finals as they suffered four defeats in eight games played in the round robin round.

1996 World Cup

West Indies scraped through to the quarter-finals with two wins in five matches played, just above Zimbabwe and Kenya. However, in the quarter-finals, batting ace Brian Lara hit a dazzling century to enable West Indies to claim narrow 19-run win against South Africa to book a semi-final spot. In the semi-finals at Mohali, they crashed to an incredible five-run defeat, as champion leg-spinner Shane Warne picked up four for 36 to bamboozle the West Indies batsman to submission.  

1999 World Cup

The West Indies failed to progress to the Super Six stages, as they were pipped by New Zealand based on superior net run rate with identical wins in equal number of games played.

2003 World Cup

The West Indian team was eliminated from the World Cup as they had three wins from six games played, unable to qualify from Pool B.

2007 World Cup

West Indies topped the Group D tables with three wins in three matches played in the first ever World Cup in the Caribbean. They were ultimately ousted from the World Cup, as they just managed two victories in the seven games played in the Super Eights to end their World Cup journey.

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